Thursday, February 4, 2010

Luke 8:22-25 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

Intro: As Christians, we will experience storms. When we say storms, we are talking about any situation or problem in our life that is: A. Unexpected – no warning; it caught you off guard, out in the "middle of the deep" B. Unpleasant – cause fear, worry, anxiety, lack of sleep (Jesus slept; they didn't!) C. Unpredictable – no idea where it's going, what will happen, how long it will stay... D. Uncontrollable – no matter what, there's nothing you can do to stop it or change it

During a storm, we need to remember some things. We need to remember:

I. God's Presence - that he went into a ship with his disciples: He was on the boat with them!!

A. He was present in the Flood - Genesis 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; B. He was present in the Fire - Daniel 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

II. God's Promise - Let us go over unto the other side of the lake.

A. His promise was simple – he didn't elaborate on the details; just said we're going over B. His promise was sure – they did reach the other side; not because of their deeds, but his!

III. God's Protection - And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish..

A. Their Approach – they went to Jesus when the storm came down B. Their Acknowledgment – they realized he was the Master C. Their Appeal – they asked him to do something on their behalf, or they would perish

IV. God's Power - Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water:

A. God's Timing – then he arose; he always acts before it is too latePsalms 121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. B. God's Test – he rebuked the wind, but he caused it! He was testing their faithPsalms 107:25 For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.Ecclesiastes 11:4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.You can't get anything done for God worrying about the storm. If it gets too bad, he'll make it stop!!

V. God's Peace - and there was a calm

A. God's Peace is Immediate – He is in full control B. God's Peace is Instructive - What manner of man is this!

Conclusion: Lessons they learned from the storm A. Nothing can hurt you when Jesus is with you B. A child of God can never perish! John 3:16 (Master, master, we perish..) C. Even when you think God is 'asleep', He is in full control.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Every motive that could move men to alter the Word of God has been fully stated in various portions of the Bible. It shows that God was aware from the first of the reception that would be given to His truth; and it is as instructive to the humble believer as it is humiliating to the modern man who critically cuts away portions of God’s Word.

The desire to alter the Word of God is dangerous. In the wilderness God Himself pointed this out: "Ye shall not add unto the Word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish aught from it" (Deut. 4:2). The nations they were advancing to conquer had long cast aside their allegiance to their Maker, and the least tendency to question or alter God’s Word might result in the same downfall for Israel. Deuteronomy 12:32 distinctly refers to this danger, and reasserts the warning: "What thing soever I command you…thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it."

The act of altering the Word of God is sinful. "Every word of God is pure…Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar" (Prov. 30:5-6). He who essays to improve upon it imputes error to the all-wise One. Only unholy minds could attempt it.

The desire to alter the Word of God is weakness. Jeremiah’s was a terrible message, and he might yield to feelings of pity for his race. God saw this, and in words that could not be misunderstood, He said to the prophet: "Diminish not a word" (Jer. 26:2). If God’s message is diminished, its power is lessened, and its results are consequently less certain. The authority, the power, the meaning, the terror of God’s truth must be preserved in all their fullness if God’s purposes are to be carried out.

The ambition to alter the Word of God is Pharisaic. To break the perfection of the law and teach our own alterations or additions as if they were of God is vile indeed. "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:19-20). Our Lord reproved this spirit in scathing and unmistakable language. Why is it His Words are forgotten? "Ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition... teaching for doctrines the commandments of men" (Matt. 15:6-9). The Pharisaic spirit thus renders impossible obedience to God as the supreme teacher.

The craving to alter the Word of God is accursed. Revelation 22:18-19 should be read with fear and trembling: "I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

Thus all down the ages God has warned men against this crime. He is a jealous God, and has determined to visit with the direct punishment all who dare to alter His complete and full revelation. This is a crime of the present day: the Lord preserve us from it!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

There are about one million different kinds of insects in the animal world that breathe without lungs or gills, yet all have the same three body sections, six legs and antennae. I'm sure that up close, their appearance will outdo any special effect space alien. Each leg has three joints. The legs of the ant are very strong so they can run very quickly. If a man could run as fast for his size as an ant can, he could run as fast as a racehorse. Ants can lift 20 times their own body weight and carry it for about 100 yards without resting. Ants use their antennae not only for touch, but also for their sense of smell. The head of the ant has a pair of large, strong jaws. The jaws open and shut sideways like a pair of scissors. Adult ants cannot chew and swallow solid food. Instead they swallow the juice which they squeeze from pieces of food. They throw away the dry part that is left over. The ant has two eyes, each eye is made of many smaller eyes. It has been estimated that an ant's brain may have the same processing power as a Macintosh II computer. Each colony usually has only one queen but she will lay about 200 million eggs in a two month period. There are over 10,000 known species of ants. 270 species in California.

Sluggard (Lazy person) Mentioned 14 times in Proverbs. Live in a society that often rewards or excuses laziness. Among other things the sluggard:

1. Loves to procrastinate 6:102. Fail to finish what he starts 12:273. Full if excuses 22:134. Never satisfied 13:4

ANTS ARE1. Determined. 1 Co 15:58 Gal 6:9 A scout will often search for food until he dies.

2. Opportunistic. Leave something out on counter it is like an open door. Rev. 3:8

3. Concerned for others. One stomach holds the food for itself and second stomach is for food to be shared with other ants. Jude 1:22

4. Good Communicators If a worker ant has found a good source for food, it leaves a trail of scent so that the other ants in the colony can find the food. Mark 16:15

5. Adaptable. Change jobs for good of colony. Will work as a teacher of youth one day and as a scout another, if needed. 1 Co 9:19-23

6. Use their days wisely. The average life expectancy of an ant is 45-60 days. James 4:14 (Clock of life is ...)

7. Family oriented. Take great care of young. Often bring them to surface on warm days an allow them to enjoy sun between classes and then carry them below to protect them from cool nights. Adults will quickly give their own lives for the young. The young always eats first. Pro. 22:6

Monday, February 1, 2010

The great prophet Elijah serves as an example for us in the place of prayer. In James 5:17 we read that Elijah "was a man subject to like passions as we are." Elijah was not some kind of superman spiritually, but rather he was someone just like us. Elijah serves as a vivid demonstration of some one just like us. However, Elijah prayed. This presents us with a vital doctrine. Prayer is a must, an absolute necessity.

Likewise in our text Paul gives us a testimony to his own weakness when he asks the believers in Ephesus to pray for him. He wanted them to pray that his witness would be with boldness. Now this is truly an amazing request. Paul is declaring that he can not do it without their prayers.

Was not this the apostle who preached the gospel to both Jew and Gentile in public and from house to house at Ephesus (Acts 20:20)? Did not Luke record that "all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus" from the lips of Paul (Acts 19:10)?

And yet now, he requests prayer for boldness. Was Paul putting them on? Was this a self-conscious attempt at humility. No it was not.

I. A delightful request - “and for me”

This was not a request for better treatment from the authorities, nor was it a request for more favorable conditions within his cell, nor was it a request for his release from captivity. Paul is not thinking about himself but his task. He does not express a desire to escape, but he is overwhelmed with the tasks of telling others about the grace of God.

II. A definite responsibility - “as I ought”

Paul was fully aware of the responsibility that he had been entrusted with. He lived under the burden of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

III. A dtermined repetition “Open my mouth boldly........may speak boldly” It is significant that Paul should repeat his request for prayer. Although he had been blessed by God and was famous among believers of his day, he realized that in his own strength he could no nothing. He needed strength to speak boldly and be the witness for Christ that he ought to be. Paul felt his need of the prayer for the saints because he recognized the importance of his labors. Paul valued the prayers of his friends and repeated his urgent request.

If the church at home believed more in the power of prayer and practiced it more earnestly, the missionary abroad would be more successful in his work. When C. H. Spurgeon was once asked what was the secret of his ministry, he replied, “My people pray for me.”